Protests rock nations across the world The Statesman 06 Dec 2022 The Arab Spring in 2010-11 challenged and overthrew authoritarian governments in the Middle East and North Africa. They commenced in Tunisia and spread across the region covering Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya and Syria. Some countries including Algeria, Jordan, Morocco and Oman, offered concessions including constitutional changes to stall […]
Can India broker peace The Statesman 15 Nov 2022 Jaishankar’s recent visit to Russia was watched with keen interest. It was believed that India would officially offer to mediate between Moscow and Kiev, after all PM Modi has spoken to Putin five times and Zelensky thrice since the war began. It was Modi who had stated that ‘this is […]
India finally gets moving The Statesman 08 Nov 2022 Threats never reduced nor attitudes of neighbours changed, nor did we learn from history. Indian defence planners shouted from rooftops of a two-front threat for decades, but their cries were ignored. As a nation we failed to modernize our forces to counter emerging threats, despite being aware that capability enhancement […]
Thoughtless actions often have strong reactions The Statesman 01 Nov 2022 In Apr 1989, the mysterious death of pro-reform Chinese Communist party leader, Hu Yaobang, led to protests by youth in Beijing’s Tiananmen square. On 04 Jun, PLA soldiers accompanied by tanks were sent to forcibly regain control. The takeover was brutal. Figures of protestor casualties vary from a […]
The damage to the Kerch bridge linking Russia to Crimea led to Putin accusing Ukraine as being responsible. Though the bridge was repaired, and traffic resumed, it was one more of a series of setbacks faced by Russia. Ukrainian troops have in recent weeks retaken areas in the South and East, while Putin has been compelled to order a partial […]
India must review its stand on Russia The Statesman 11 Oct 2022 PM Modi spoke to Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, last week and reiterated his call for peace and dialogue. The Indian foreign ministry stated, ‘He (PM Modi) expressed his firm conviction that there can be no military solution to the conflict and conveyed India’s readiness to contribute to […]
India’s rising global standing India vs disinformation 04 Oct 2022 India has evolved over the past 75 years. An impoverished nation in the 1950’s, dependent on aid and foodgrains, its population suffering from Polio and other diseases, it is currently the global provider for foodgrains and medicines. India refuses aid for natural calamities, while assisting others. It financially supports […]
Changing scenario for India post Ukraine The Excelsior 01 Oct 2022 Few nations expected Russia to launch an all-out offensive against Ukraine. It has been seven months and Russia appears bogged down. Any exit strategy which Russia would have initially considered has vanished into thin air. With Ukraine unwilling for talks, Russia has no solution. This was acknowledged by […]
Outcomes at Samarkand The Statesman 20 Sep 2022 PM Modi attended the SCO summit in Samarkand last week. Till his arrival there was no announcement of his schedule of meetings. It was known that he would interact with the Uzbekistan President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as is customary, as also President Putin of Russia, apart from addressing the summit, alongside Xi […]
Ukraine setback has dented Russian image, but West should not forget approaching winter First Post 15 Sep 2022 Inputs from the almost seven months long Russia-Ukraine conflict mention a successful counter-offensive launched by Ukrainian forces in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine claims to have recaptured over 3000 kms from Russia, loss of which has been partially admitted by Russian sources. […]